by M. D. Cooper
Erin had spoken with both of them a little via the Link on her way back. “You’re absolutely sure the deployment system is secure?” she asked as soon as she arrived.
“I’ve checked it thoroughly,” said Sasha. “The seal on the module is in place. There are no signs of any tampering.”
“Thank the stars for that,” Erin said.
“The thief didn’t get as far as the module,” said Cullen. “He or she couldn’t break through the inner monitoring ring I established. As soon as I received the alert that the ring had been triggered, I went down to the site. It was empty. Whoever tried to steal the module was gone without a trace. There’s been so much activity at the site that any footprints were lost in the mix.”
“So this person was aware they’d triggered an alarm,” said Erin, “and left right away?”
“Either that, or they knew that someone was coming,” Cullen replied. “Or maybe they left because they couldn’t break through the ring and needed more time to figure out how. I haven’t been able to discover which was the case. The alarm signal is heavily encrypted. No one should have been able to tell it was triggered, and I haven’t been able to discover any tracking devices that would tell someone my whereabouts.”
Erin sat down. “I can hardly believe it. Who on Carthage would want to steal the picotech? We have a traitor among us. I’m glad we set up such tight security.” She asked Cullen, “Didn’t you find any clues at all that might lead us to the thief?”
“No, nothing, unfortunately,” he replied. “We seem to be dealing with a true professional. If it weren’t for the inner monitoring ring, the thief might have succeeded.”
“Who knew about that?” Erin asked.
“Only you and I.”
“None of your guards?”
“No one else.”
“And no one’s here except us, the guards, and the construction workers.”
“And our resident scientist,” Sasha said.
“Yes,” Erin replied, “but apart from the fact that he’s probably the least suspicious of all of us, I was with him when the attempt was made.”
“I’m surprised the thief didn’t wait until the early morning, when everyone was asleep,” said Sasha.
“I’m not,” said Cullen. “It’s much more difficult to disguise your movements when no one else is around. If you want to hide, go stand in a crowd. Like I said, we have a professional on our hands. This person knew they could slip away more easily if other people were about the place. But it’s correct that the thief has to be among the people already on site. No vessels or aircraft have been anywhere near here all day. Yet I vetted every worker and all of my team thoroughly. There’s nothing in anyone’s background that would give me cause for concern.”
“I know,” Erin said. “I checked them too.”
“And the guards I had patrolling the site at the time of the breach didn’t see anything unusual,” Cullen added.
“There’s only one thing we can do,” said Sasha. “We’ll have to let everyone go and hire a new team of people.”
“No,” said Erin, “I’m not sure that’s the best response. We know one of the people working here wants to steal the picotech. There’s at least one traitor right here among us. It seems to me the best thing to do would be to find out who that person is. If we just let everyone go, we’ll never find out this person’s identity. Then they’re free to continue working against the success of the colony, and the next time someone wants to use the picotech, the thief will have another opportunity to steal it.”
“But if we don’t get rid of everyone,” Sasha said, “how do we continue building the SATC? That really would be giving the thief another chance at pilfering the tech.”
“Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad idea,” Erin said. “Cullen, you said before that the thief might not have known they’d triggered an alarm—that they might have left because they knew you were coming or they just wanted more time to figure out how to break through the ring. If either of the last two was the case, don’t you think the person might make a second attempt?”
“It’s perfectly possible, I’d say,” the security team leader replied. “If the thief believed their failure was only a matter of bad timing, it would make sense for them to try again. But if they knew I was coming, that means my movements are being tracked in a way I haven’t been able to discover.”
Erin chewed at her lip for a moment. Admiral Sanderson had told her that no military forces were available at present, and if she waited for some to be available, they would fall even further behind. The admiral had sent her Cullen, and the man had Jessica’s recommendation. They were safe enough with his team on the job.
“Yes, that’s true,” she agreed, “which means if we set up a trap, you won’t be able to help us spring it.”
“Correct.” Cullen nodded as he looked from Erin to Sasha and back. “If you want to catch the thief, I’ll have to stay where I am, or I could spook him or her again. Of course, it’s also possible that you’re being tracked too, so if you respond to an alarm, it’ll have the same effect.”
“I hope not, but if that’s the case, we won’t have lost anything by trying.”
“We’re going to try to catch the thief?” Sasha asked.
“We are,” Erin replied. “We’re going to continue on with our work tomorrow as if nothing’s happened. If the traitor doesn’t know they triggered an alarm and that we know what they’re up to, they’re bound to try again. Only this time, we’ll be ready.”
“But Cullen can’t help?” Sasha asked.
“No.”
“And none of the guards can help either, because one of them might be the thief.”
“That’s right.”
“So it’s just you and me against a professional criminal who’s desperate to steal priceless tech.”
“Uh huh.” Erin clapped the young engineer on the back. “I always knew you were smart, Sasha,” she said sarcastically. “You just keep proving it over and over again.”
Sasha smiled wryly. “I’m only trying to get this straight.”
“It’ll be fine. We’ll be well armed, and we’ll have the advantage because we’ll know about the thief, but they won’t know about us. Don’t worry.”
“That’s the kind of statement that makes me worry. I’ve never even fired a gun before, and this thief isn’t going to take kindly to our intervention in their plans.”
“I’ll be on hand,” Cullen added. “This is what we’re here for. It’s also not my first time dealing with something like this.”
“OK, look at it this way,” said Erin. “If the thief manages to steal the picotech, it could eventually mean the end of New Canaan.”
“Yes…but…. Oh, all right. That’s quite a persuasive argument you have, there. OK. I’ll do it. But I’ll need some weapons practice.”
“Maybe we can rig something up in here,” Erin suggested. “I did basic weapons training already, and I’ll get all the practice I need if this person shows up. If they try to steal the picotech again, they won’t know what’s hit them. We’ll give them a nice surprise, and they probably won’t even have time to get off a single shot.”
“I guess that sounds a bit better,” Sasha said.
“Good. Because, come to think of it, we should start surveillance now. Cullen, bring us some weapons. You’ll have to distract your security patrol long enough for us to slip into the site without anyone knowing. We’ll find somewhere to hide among the equipment under the screen. It could be that our nefarious friend will try his or her luck again tonight.”
“Yes, that’s certainly possible,” Cullen said before leaving to get the two engineers the requested armament.
“Core,” Sasha muttered. “So it looks like we’re going to be up all night?”
“I hope our skulking friend turns up earlier than that, but yes, perhaps. Get whatever you think you might need—food and something to drink. We’re going down as soon as Cullen can distract his guards.”
The security chief returned quickly, bearing two multifunction pistols, and instructed Erin and Sasha on how to operate them. Erin’s training had been mandatory for all high-ranking personnel on the Intrepid, though it had been a while since she’d put that training into practice.
Once ready, the two engineers walked across the valley to the SATC construction site, taking a few essentials with them. Cullen pulled aside two of his guards just long enough for Erin and Sasha to slip in beneath the cover unseen. Under the light of the lamps that illuminated the site—as Cullen had said—no trace of the thief’s visit was visible. All Erin could see were the footprints that she and Sasha had left while they watched the picotech in action earlier that day. No sign of any other visitor remained.
They found a hiding place behind some of the equipment that was being stored under the cover, ready to be installed after the picotech had done its work. No matter what direction the thief approached from, he or she wouldn’t be able to see them, while they would have a clear view of the picotech module.
Erin gave Sasha an encouraging nod as they settled onto the slightly damp moss that grew on the bluff-top, and settled in for their wait.
REVEALED
STELLAR DATE: 11.29.8935 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: SATC site, eastern shores of Knossos Island
REGION: Carthage, 3rd Planet in the New Canaan System
“Hart, catch!”
Nathan Hart swung around just in time to catch the beer. He grinned at the man who’d thrown it, another member of the security team.
“Thanks.”
Popping open the can, he sat on the sofa in the small lounge and pretended to watch the game of cards two of the other guards were playing. While he maintained an expression of mild interest, he was mentally going over the evening’s events. He needed to figure out his next step.
He’d come so close. He’d almost succeeded. Slipping out of the security team’s quarters and timing his entrance to the secured site had been easy. If only that inner monitoring ring hadn’t been in place, he could have stolen the entire module, not only downloaded the data on its operation, which was the bare minimum that Myrrdan’s agent required.
Momentarily, he basked in the imagined glory that would shine on him if he was able to present the agent with the picotech module. Myrrdan would be sure to want to meet him.
But the device the agent had given him had warned that he’d triggered an alarm. Nathan barely had time to cover his tracks and get away before Cullen came snooping. When he’d returned to the guards’ quarters, slipping in through the shower room window and emerging from his supposed prolonged ablutions, no one had noticed he’d been gone.
“Stars, Acevedo,” exclaimed Merrill, throwing down her cards, “How do you do it? That’s seven hands you’ve won in a row. Have you got an extra deck up your sleeve?”
“No, that’s just my bulging bicep.” Acevedo winked at his playing partner. “Another hand?”
“No way,” Merrill replied. “I can’t afford it. You cleaned me out.”
“How about you, Hart?” Acevedo asked. “Fancy your luck? I’ve had a winning streak, but that might change.”
“I wouldn’t if I were you,” warned Merrill. “Not unless you’re prepared to fund the Bank of the Republic of Acevedo.”
“I’ll try a round or two,” Nathan replied.
Playing cards was the furthest thing from his mind, but he couldn’t afford to stand out among the team as quiet or a loner. Right at that moment, he knew Cullen and the two engineers would be discussing his attempt to steal the picotech. They would know it had to be someone on site, and they would be wondering who. Nathan had to blend in if he wanted to avoid their suspicion falling upon him.
He picked up the hand Acevedo had dealt him. Despite her earlier warning, Merrill had moved to the arm of the sofa next to Nathan, where she could see his cards over his shoulder.
“What do you think?” Nathan asked, spreading his cards out.
“What are you asking her for?” Acevedo said. “She just lost her week’s wages to me. Wait. What am I saying? Merrill, give him your best advice.”
The female security guard scowled at Acevedo. She leaned over and pointed at three cards in Hart’s hand.
“You sure?” Nathan asked. Merrill’s judgment did seem to be as off as Acevedo thought.
“Ignore me if you want,” said Merrill. “I don’t care. But you asked, and that’s what I think.”
“OK.” Hart removed the three cards and slid them face downward across the table to Acevedo.
As he did, Cullen came in. Immediately, Acevedo pushed all the cards off the table onto the floor. Nathan began sliding them under the sofa with his feet. The sudden movement attracted a glance from Cullen, who was striding across the room to his office. “Get rid of them,” he said without breaking step. “Or I’m docking all your wages.”
He’d forbidden the guards to gamble. Gambling created arguments, and arguments led to fights. But the security team leader seemed to be in too much of a hurry to address their disobedience further. He disappeared into his office, then soon reappeared carrying a case. While maintaining a semblance of the same alarm that Acevedo and Merrill were showing, Nathan watched Cullen’s movements from the corner of his eye.
There was little doubt in his mind what was in the nondescript case the security team leader was carrying. Cullen had returned to his office to collect weapons. The weapons obviously weren’t intended for the guards. They had their own. Nor would it make any sense to arm the construction workers. The guns had to be for the two engineers.
As Cullen went out, Hart bent down to retrieve the cards from under the sofa.
“I bet we can fit in another game before he comes back,” Acevedo said.
“Sorry,” Nathan replied. “I need my creds.” He took the cards to the trash disposal.
“Hey,” Acevedo protested when he saw what Hart was about to do. “Don’t throw them in there. Those cards are mine!”
“Throw them away, Hart,” said Merrill.
“You’re just mad you lost,” said Acevedo.
Nathan opened the disposal and dropped in the cards.
“Damn it,” Acevedo exclaimed. “You owe me for that. I know—how about a round of arm wrestling? Double or quits.”
“Double or quits?” Nathan asked. “I never lost to you.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right. OK. Winner takes all. What do you say?”
“I say you have a problem.”
“Yeah, quit it,” said Merrill. “You’ll get us all in trouble.”
Nathan picked up his beer and went over to the window, leaving Acevedo and Merrill to bicker. He got there just in time to catch a glimpse of Cullen as he disappeared into the engineers’ office. He watched the dark building, contemplating his next move.
He had three options. One of them was to make his getaway. If Cullen figured out it was he who’d tried to steal the picotech, the game was over. But Hart doubted that the team leader would finger him; he’d been meticulous in covering all traces of his movements. If any clue he’d left could lead Cullen to him, he would have been arrested already.
Nathan’s second option was to accept that he’d missed his chance and give up his attempt for now. Cullen and the engineers knew someone was trying to steal the picotech, so security would tighten even further, and the theft would be that much harder. If he didn’t make another attempt and simply completed his assignment at the site, no one would ever know that he’d attempted to steal the picotech module. On the other hand, if anyone used the tech again, his name would be on the list of suspects. The minute he applied for work on the project, he would be detained and questioned.
His third option was to try to steal the tech again. He weighed up the arguments. It didn’t matter if the engineers were armed—so was he. And he knew they would be hiding and waiting for him. They didn’t have as much of an advantage as they might think.
The more he considered a seco
nd try, the more Nathan realized he didn’t have any choice. He had to try again. His first attempt had given the game away. Now the authorities on Carthage knew that someone local was trying to steal the picotech, and his identity was associated with the crime. If he didn’t succeed in stealing the picotech this time, he would probably never get another chance. It would be all or nothing.
The only upside was that the engineers hadn’t decided to simply pack up the tech and remove it. They could have decided to complete the project the old-fashioned way. Why they weren’t doing that was obvious: they were out to catch him. But he was certain things weren’t going to turn out how they hoped.
“Hart,” Acevedo said, right next to his ear. Nathan jumped a little. He’d been so deep in thought, he hadn’t heard the man join him.
“I’ll bet you ten credits…” Acevedo peered out into the darkness. “I know—ten credits says we see a shooting star within the next half-hour.”
Nathan looked up into the Cradle, the thick cluster of stars that covered the southern sky. “OK, I’ll take it. No, wait. Make that twenty credits.”
Acevedo’s gleaming teeth appeared in a broad grin. “Twenty credits it is.”
“Hart,” whined Merrill, “What are you doing? Don’t encourage him.”
“Don’t worry,” Nathan replied with a grin. “I’m feeling lucky.”
ENGAGEMENT
STELLAR DATE: 11.29.8935 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: SATC site, eastern shores of Knossos Island
REGION: Carthage, 3rd Planet in the New Canaan System
The picotech deployment system registered as empty. While she and Sasha had waited, Erin decided to execute the second phase of the SATC’s pico-excavation. Emptying the module alleviated her boredom—for a while, at least.
She nudged Sasha. The young engineer’s eyelids had been closing.
Sasha jerked awake and looked apologetic.